Posts Tagged ‘Sterling’
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Wednesday, December 29th, 2010
NoVA boasts highest home vacancy rate in region
Sterling bank robbed by Hillary Clinton look-a-like
Are VA students learning the right history? Answer, No.
Toll Road prices go up to $1.25 for cars
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Tuesday, November 9th, 2010
(Image: Beer Matters)
The Great American Restaurants group is celebrating its latest gold medal win at the 2010 Great American Beer Festival–their GAR Pale Ale beat out 40+ competitors to claim the crown in the Extra Special Bitter/Strong Bitter category–with a little celebration at your local Sweetwater Tavern (Centreville, Falls Church, Sterling).
All three restaurants will be serving up complimentary appetizers and discounted pale ales–with some t-shirt and growler koozie giveaways thrown in for good measure–from 5 p.m.-9 p.m. tonight.
–Warren
No Fractured Prune Fix for NoVA
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Monday, April 19th, 2010
(Image: The DC Traveler)
Had you asked me a few years ago what baked good would propel otherwise rational people into a buying frenzy, I would’ve bet dollars to doughnuts on, well, homemade doughnuts ahead of ridiculously overpriced cupcakes.
So glad I’m no longer a betting man.
The bellwether upon which I had based my terribly misinformed worldview was the sudden influx of Ocean City’s undisputed breakfast sweets king, The Fractured Prune, into the NoVA burbs in late 2007.
The then 31-year-old-company laid out ambitious plans to franchise across our area, promising to introduce non-beach goers to their brand of totally customizable, hand-dipped donuts.
Three years and four shops later: they’re all gone.
The Fairfax shop led the charge, but appears to have folded its tent in late 2009. Dulles seems to have succumbed around the same time. By all accounts the Leesburg and South Riding shops were still kicking this winter, but have since given up the ghost.
So, how does a donut dynasty go completely belly up in under 32 months?
Corporate remains tight-lipped about the frustrating experience, stating only that the franchisees “asked the corporate officers not to discuss.” The Fractured Prune spokesperson added, “we have received many e-mails from Fractured Prune customers in the area expressing their disappointment at the closings, a feeling we here share.”
At the moment, there are no new FP franchisees lined up to take another crack at the Commonwealth.
–Warren
Just a Taste: Cherry Blossom Restaurant
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Monday, July 27th, 2009
The exurban dining scene gets more interesting by the day, I tell you.
The latest example being a former chain crab shack giving way to the palatial Cherry Blossom–a gorgeous Afghani restaurant poised to go even bigger with a planned open-air bar.
Cherry Blossom debuted rather quietly during the July 4th weekend. But staff shared that their banquet facilities are already booked solid every weekend through August.
Manager Sher Shoja said a proper grand opening is tentatively set for later this summer.
Meanwhile, the owners have already drawn up plans to capitalize on the lake-hugging location by adding a 2,400 square foot outdoor bar they hope to have ready by early fall. Other coming attractions include a daily lunch buffet, which Shoja said should come online in short order.
Till then, patrons can entertain themselves with crackling pastries replete with crispy leeks and tangy scallions (boolawnee) or a gut-busting meal of savory meatballs, herb-infused rice and sauteed eggplant (kofta chalau).
–Warren